Shank-stiffener



(No Model.)

G. H. STEVENS;

SHANK STIPPENER.

No. 566,240. Patented Aug. 18,1896.-

my. p2.

71/657265565: 4 Inventor.- QT 349ml 6, g 2

S m NE 33 {kw o lggyfi UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE II. STEVENS,- OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHANK-STIFFENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 566,240, dated August18, 1896. Application filed May 9,1896. Serial No. 590,865. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE I-I. STEVENS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shank-stiffeners,of which the following is a specification, reference being had thereinto the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to shank-stiffeners for use in the manufacture ofboots and shoes, and more particularly to shank-stiffeners of thecottageroof form; that is to say, stiifeners each formed on the underside thereof with a sharp ridge along a line extending lengthwise atmid-width of the stiifeners and sloping on each side of this ridge tothe side edge.

The object of the invention is to producea cottage-roof shank-stiffenerof an improved and novel character and construction which will admit ofbeing very quickly and inexpensively manufactured, which shall have avery smooth convex under surface formed with a clearly-defined sharpridge, over which the shank portion of the sole of a shoe may besmoothly and evenly finished.

The invention will be described first with reference to the accompanyingdrawings and afterward will be more particularly defined in the claimsat the close of this specification.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a view in plan of a fiat blank such as thatwhich Iuse in the production of my improved shank-stiffener, hereinafterto be described. Fig. 2 isa view in cross-section on the line 2 2 ofFig. 1. Fig. 3 is an edge view of the blank which is represented inFig. 1. Fig. 4 is aview in plan of the said blank after it has beenmolded into the shape which is required to fit it for use in my improvedshank-stiffener. Fig. 5 is an edge or side view of the molded blankwhich is represented in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a View in cross-section on theline 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. '7 is a view in cross-section on the line 7 7of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a view in cross-section on line 8 8 of Fig. 5. Fig.9 is a view in plan of the completed shank-stiffener embodying myinvention. Fig. 10 is a view in crosssection on the line 10 10 of Fig.9.

In the manufacture of my improved shankstiffener I employ leather-board,preferably,

although any other customary or suitable material may be used. I take ablank, like that which is represented in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, anddesignated 1 therein, the same being by preference beveled off on itsside edges as indicated at 2 2, and skived ofi at its ends, as indicatedat 3 3. This blank I subject to pressure between dies to give it theshape which is indicated in Figs. 4: to 8, inclusive. That is to say,the molded blank of these latter figures, as indicated in Fig. 5, hasthe proper longitudinal curve, and throughout the greater portion of thelength thereof is V-shaped in cross-section, as indicated most clearlyin Figs. 4 and 7, thus producing the desired longitudinal ridge 4 on theunder face of the blank and a complementary cavity or depression 5 onthe upper face thereof, extending in the direction of the length of theblank, as will be apparent from the drawings. The end portions 6 and 7of the blank are somewhat flattened or curved slightly in cross-section,as indicated in Figs. 6 and 8. For the purpose of filling up theV-shaped cavity 5, I employ a filling-piece 8, (see Figs. 9 and 10,) thesame being composed of leather-board, preferably. The fillingpiece incross section corresponds approximately with the depression 5, and it isfitted into the said depression, as indicated in Figs. 9 and 10, and issecured therein by tacks 9 9 or otherwise, as desired. The upper surfaceof the said filling-piece 8 preferably is fiat or slightly curvedcrosswise, and it is curved lengthwise to correspond with the curvatureof the. main portion or body 1. (See Fig. 5.)

The completed stiffener is compact, solid, and has the requisitestiffness, and is substantially triangular in cross-section intermediateits ends. The latter are somewhat flattened. The entire upper face whichcomes next the insole is fiat, or nearly fiat, crosswise and curvedlengthwise, and the under face has the desired longitudinal ridge in theintermediate portion thereof, which fits the corresponding depression inthe shank of the sole of the shoe in which the stiffener is used.

My improved shank-stifiener is of superior quality, and combinesstrength and lightness. It has the under or convex face thereof verysmooth and fiat and provided with a well-defined sharp ridge, whichenables the shank 2. A shank-stiffener for boots and shoes, curvedlengthwise thereof, and having a 1011- gitudinal ridge on the under facethereof and a complementary longitudinal depression in the upper facethereof, and also having secured in the said depression a filling-piecewhich is curved lengthwise, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

GEORGE ll. STEVENS.

WVitnesses:

WM. A. MACLEOD, RoBT. WALLACE.

